Sitting Empty In A Soon-To-Be- Eggless Nest!

As I write this, I am not only going through menopause, but my twin sons – my only children, my youngest and oldest – are leaving the nest. As you read this, they will have just moved into dorms at separate colleges. I am sitting eggless in what is about to be an empty nest. While I am both very excited and nervous for them — and for me — it doesn’t seem real. Doesn’t seem possible. Then I look at the tuition and housing bills, and I realize it’s all as real as I now know Kim Kardashian’s “back story” is since she made the wise and tasteful decision of having it X-rayed on TV to clear up any doubt. (I know Iam sleeping better since she took that brave step, and I have to imagine the rest of the country is, too.)

Please read the rest here. It's my monthly guest column for Health Bistro and Lifescript.com! To all my friends on the east coast, best wishes for riding out Irene! I will likely be unable to comment due to power loss for days, possibly weeks, but really appreciate your readership!

Female Role Models: Snooki vs. Samantha Stevens

I grew up wanting to be “bewitching” like Samantha, “lost in space” like Penny, and cleverly kick-butt like Agent 99. Those were my role models on TV, some of the females most revered in popular culture at the time. They were women and girls who used their wits (ok, and a little witchcraft) to save the day. Samantha was forever saving the bumbling Darren and his advertising accounts at McMann & Tate -usually on her wits alone. Penny was a space pioneer battling aliens and a wily Dr. Smith. Secret Agent 99 used her cunning and martial arts skills to get Maxwell Smart out of countless jams.

Fast forward 20 some years after my childhood (OK, 30…oh alright! 40!) and who do our young girls see capturing the media’s airtime and the public’s attention and admiration? The first female speaker of the house? Not so much. Female journalists? Only if they are on the E! network or TMZ. Women who lead the way in medicine, education or environmentalism? Not unless you count renaming cocaine “gum” once it’s found in your purse as a medical breakthrough or see turning “leaked” sex tapes into high-paying stardom as recycling and repurposing.

Read the rest here where I am guest-blogging at Health Bistro! Thanks so much for visiting!

Forget TMI; These Days There Can Be TMP

My pulse quickens. My hands shake. My colon tightens. I begin to sweat profusely. I can’t believe it’s happening again. I’ve just received a message that a friend has “tagged” a photo of me on facebook.

My mind races as my fingers fly across the keyboard. What event did I recently attend where someone had a camera? Or did my “friend” post a shot from back in the day that would be best hidden from the view of my children, my mother and local authorities? How quickly can I logon and view the photo and then “untag” it before everyone on my friend list (forget everyone on the friend’s friend list) can see the wattle and the roll of fat I fear is showing.

These are the worries in the age of TMP: Too Much Photography.

Seems everywhere you go these days, (read the rest here. Thanks for visiting!)

Spring Fever - What Are Your Symptoms?

This week we welcomed spring, and everyone I know is happy about it. Seems like this winter in particular was a messy, sloppy, irritating houseguest who long overstayed his welcome. As a result, many are catching spring fever, and I've realized we each present our own unique “symptoms” with this bug. Today I cover four I’ve recently observed. Do you have one of these particular symptoms? Find out here. It's my monthly guest column for the way-cool Health Bistro blog. I'd love to hear about your particular spring fever symptoms at the end of the post there. Thanks for visiting and commenting!

HAPPY SPRING!!

Greeting card at right sold here along with lots of other great things like fabulous birthday, Mother's Day and teachers' gifts!

Bunco, Book Club - When It Comes To Health Benefits, You Can Say BINGO!

How does having a regular "monthly" benefit your health and well-being? In more ways than you might ever imagine! If you've ever had guilt heading out the door for your monthly club meeting, read about the benefits here and banish that guilt for good! It's my monthly guest column at Health Bistro! Thanks for visiting! I would love to hear how your "monthly" benefits you in the comments section at the end of the post.

How Do Raw Sewage, Crazy-Daisy Spewed Vomit and Rotten Pumpkin Add Up To The Ideal Valentine?

Find out here! It's my monthly guest column for the good folks at Lifescript and Health Bistro. I'd love for my Ungirdled sisters (and brothers!) to leave a comment on your ideal Valentine at the end of the post there.

Need a spiffy card or festive Valentine's banner? You can find them here! The photo at right shows one available.

Need a gift for your special Valentine? How about a personalized pet print? Details here!

Do you need a break from my shameless plugging of my etsy shop? Yeah, me too. Let's go over to Health Bistro for a visit, and you can let me know about some of your most memorable Valentine's moments or what makes your special someone your ideal Valentine.

Happy Valentine's Day! I love my readers every day!